I Sit beside the Fire and Think
I Sit Beside the Fire and Think is a song by Bilbo Baggins, which he sang softly in Rivendell on 24 December T.A. 3018,[1] the evening before the Fellowship of the Ring set out upon their quest. It is a contemplative piece, sung by a now-aging hobbit recalling past events that ends in anticipation of hearing returning friends.
Lyrics
I sit beside the fire and think
of all that I have seen
of meadow-flowers and butterflies
in summers that have been;
Of yellow leaves and gossamer
in autumns that there were,
with morning mist and silver sun
and wind upon my hair.
I sit beside the fire and think
of how the world will be
when winter comes without a spring
that I shall never see.
For still there are so many things
that I have never seen:
in every wood in every spring
there is a different green.
I sit beside the fire and think
of people long ago
and people who will see a world
that I shall never know.
But all the while I sit and think
of times there were before,
I listen for returning feet
and voices at the door.[2]
Legacy
Donald Swann wrote music for this song, which can be found in the book The Road Goes Ever On;[3] it is also found on the accompanying CD of the latest version.
